Chapter 8
The paparazzi were relentless. It didn’t matter what Alexander and Claire did; they were like bloodhounds who caught the scent of a fugitive. Claire couldn’t even leave the property without a pack of them following her to the grocery store. The latest article, “What Is Horses Trainer Claire Reynolds Cooking Tonight?” was the most absurd thing she had ever read. They speculated she was making everything from hamburgers on the grill to stear tartar. The funny thing was that the article was released the day after she went shopping for cat food. One of the barn cats has kittens, and she adopted one for company. The little fuzzball had even won Alexander’s heart. The trip to the local Home Depot finally sealed the harsh reality of their situation in her mind.
“Hi there. Can I help you?”
Claire looked at the woman who approached her. She was wearing an employee’s signature orange vest. “No. I’m good, thank you.” She kept looking at the packages of blinds, pushing her cart further up the row.
“Are you looking for a certain type of blind or shade?”
Claire gritted her teeth. “I’m just browsing. Getting ideas.”
“Well, the cottage on the Blackwood Estate has a lot of windows. Are you trying to lessen the sunshine or block out the paparazzi? Or make your trysts with Alexander Blackwood more private? How did the two of you hook up, and don’t you find it questionable to be dating your boss?”
When Claire turned to look at the woman, she noticed the slacks and heels. And the name on the vest: Daniel. The woman was holding a pad and pen. She picked up her purse from the shopping cart and walked past the woman, not saying another word. The reporter followed her, throwing question after question after her, but Claire never said a word. She continued to her car in silence, only to be mobbed by other reporters thrusting microphones in her face and snapping pictures. This was insane. She turned around to get away from them, but they kept pressing in on all sides, throwing question after question at her. She gripped her purse tightly to her chest and kept trying to get to her car. “Please, move,” she finally begged. “Leave me alone!” She had managed to get a video call to Alex started on her phone, and while she didn’t say a word, she could see the anger on his face when he saw what was happening. Her phone got knocked from her hand by some rabid reporter, and she was on the verge of tears.
She was shaking when a few Home Depot employees came to her rescue, pushing through the reporters and photographers to get to her. They made a barrier around her so she could get into her car, and one of them retrieved her phone. They walked around her car, escorting her out of the parking lot and allowing her to make her getaway. She was still shaking thirty minutes later when she got back to the estate.
Alexander was waiting for her, concern etched across his face. He made a beeline to her, walking and then running to get to her side as quickly as possible. He caught her as she got out of the car, tears cascading down her cheeks. “I’ve got you,” he soothed, holding her tightly to him as she cried. He kissed the top of her head and led her back to the main house. Once he got her inside, he sat her down at the kitchen counter, grabbed a bottle of water, and handed it to her. “Are you alright? They didn’t hurt you, did they? Did they touch you?”
“No. I’m…I’m okay,” she managed between sips of water. “They’re horrible, Alex. Horrible! I used to have respect for reporters and photographers, but this? Is this what Princess Diana put up with? Because if so, I don’t know…I don’t know if I can do this.” She set the bottle of water down, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I just want to train and race horses. That’s all I want to do. I can’t even go to the store without getting mobbed.”
He brushed her hair from her face, cupping her cheeks in his hands before kissing her forehead. “I’m getting you security. I don’t want you going out without them if I’m not with you.”
“Alexander, that’s not…”
“Shhhh. I insist.”
“I don’t want you wasting money on me like that,” she protested.
He leaned back and looked at her, a smile twitching across his lips. “Claire. You do remember who I am, right? Hiring security to protect the woman I love is not wasting money.”
She looked up at him and let out a half-laugh, half-sob. “I just wanted some shades for the cottage,” she sighed in resignation. She leaned her forehead against his chest before leaning back. “I got your suit wet,” she whispered.
“And it will dry.” He tilted her chin up to look at him. She was so beautiful to him, with her blue eyes and full lips. Right now, he hated seeing them so red and so traumatized. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m going to draw you a bath and make you lunch. I’m not going back to the office. We have some things to talk about and decide once and for all.” He smoothed her hair back from her forehead.
“I’m supposed to be working Fortune Favors today,” she protested.
“I’ll have Davis work him. Today, you’re staying with me. Finish your water.” He handed her the bottle before walking into his bedroom and the large bath. He started the water in the tub, tossing a bath bomb in the water and turning on the jets. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and leaned back against the counter. “James, I need you to call Morrow Security. I need a detail on Claire. I’m not going to have this happen again.”
“Is she alright?”
“She’s shaken, but she’s not physically hurt.”
“I’ll call them as soon as we get off the phone.” James paused on the other end for a moment. “Alex, you’re my cousin. You’re like a brother to me, more than my own, and I care about you. You and Claire are going to have to nip this in the bud before one of you does get hurt. I know you can handle the rumors and conjecture, but from what I know of Claire, she’s a gentle woman who has captured your heart. Confront the scandal head-on. Put it out there and embrace the truth. You know that honesty is the best remedy.”
Alexander smiled. “Your mother always said that to use.”
“Yes, and it has served us well all our lives. You brought me into this business with you, and I’ve been by your side this entire time since everyone else walked away from us. Trust me on this.”
Claire was getting the same advice from Ginger at the other end of the house. “I was terrified.”
“Well, they can be rabid. But do you love him?”
“Yes. Yes, I do love him.” It was the first time she had said it out loud, and it felt good to say it.
“Then maybe the two of you should just face the music and come clean. I mean, yeah, you can continue risking your careers and personal lives by denying the affair and hoping the storm blows over, but why? Why hide what you’ve got? You’re happy. He’s happy. And hell, one more billionaire off the market is a good thing.”
Claire rubbed her eyes, feeling the tension headache starting. She said goodbye to Ginger and hung up the phone. There was one thing that was very clear – through all the rumors, all the nasty newspaper articles, and tawdry paparazzi photos, their love for each other burned bright and unwavering. Claire knew that whatever choice they made would have far-reaching consequences, not just for themselves but for their future together as well. They could not continue to hide in the shadows forever. Alexander was right. They needed to talk this out and make a decision. She walked through the house to the bathroom to find him leaning against the counter in thought. At some point, he had removed all but his trousers and white button down. The tub was almost full. She walked to it and turned off the water before slowly undressing. She slipped into the hot water, letting the heat soothe away the tension she had been holding in.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Claire spoke, her voice soft but firm. “Alexander, we can’t keep hiding forever. The longer we deny our relationship, the more damage we do to ourselves and to each other. It’s time to face the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.”
Alexander nodded slowly, his expression grave as he looked up at her, meeting her gaze. “You’re right, Claire,” he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. “We can’t let fear dictate our actions any longer. Societal expectations be damned. It’s 2024. It shouldn’t matter who I fall in love with. Who you fall in love with.” He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off, letting it fall to the floor. “If I want to kiss my horse trainer, then I will kiss her. If I want to take her to dinner, then I will. And no one has the right to question us.” He slipped off his trousers and then slipped into the tub with her. He laced his finger with hers as he leaned in to kiss her. “Together. We’ll face the scandal together,” Alexander said, his voice steady and unwavering. “No matter what the world may think of us, we’ll stand united in our love and our commitment to each other. Nothing else matters.”
Claire met Alexander’s gaze with a silent nod of agreement, her heart swelling with a sense of pride and determination. In that moment, she knew that they were embarking on a journey that would test their resolve like never before, but she also knew that they would face it together, hand in hand, united in their love and their unwavering belief in each other. She leaned towards him, kissing him with every ounce of love she had in her body. “Together.”
Alexander drew her closer, kissing her hungrily. He needed her, and the worry that she could”ve gotten hurt still weighed heavily on his mind. She would have security and they would make sure she stayed safe.
Claire felt her resolve fading with each of his kisses, all thoughts of horses and racing gone from her mind. Claire closed her eyes, letting her head fall back as Alexander trailed his mouth down her neck, his hands like brands against the small of her back as he held her tightly to him, their hips grinding together. She moaned at the feel of his erection against her. He stood up, pulling her to her feet with him. He held her hands as he stepped from the tub, lifting her from it and holding her tightly against him. He carried her towards the bedroom. “I need a few hours with you.” He set her down and let his fingers trail down the soft flesh of her arms. “I do not like having to share you all of the time,” he remarked. “Even if I’m just sharing you with the horses.”
Claire smiled. “Poor baby,” she whispered, reaching out to tug him closer. She slipped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling his lips to hers, their eyes locked in hungry need. Claire threaded her fingers through his hair, holding tightly to him as their kisses grew more passionate. She gasped as he lowered his lips to her breasts, gently taking one peeked nipple in his mouth and suckling.
Alexander grabbed her wrists, pulling her into his arms and forcefully backing her up against the wall, his lips coming down on hers in a bone-crushing kiss that left them both gasping. “Now,” he whispered huskily. “I don’t want to talk about racing. I don’t want to talk about horses. I don”t want to talk about the damn paparazzi and their prying eyes. I want to make love to you. And that’s what I”m going to do.” He gazed down at her, his eyes tracing the line of her swollen lips. He forced his knee between her legs, pinning her between himself and the wall. He gazed down at her, his heart beating in his chest as he slid one hand under the edge of her breast, this thumb quickly finding her nipple. Ruthlessly, he rubbed her already sensitive peak with his thumb. “Do…I…make…myself…clear?” he questioned through clenched teeth, his eyes narrowing.
“Yes, sir,” Claire answered breathlessly. She knew Alexander was right. Everything could wait until morning. She reached out and grasped his head, pulling his lips back to hers, arching her body against his hand.
“Good.” Alexander kissed her, his body aching with need. No, need wasn’t even strong enough to describe what he was feeling. He reached to the tight chignon she had her hair up in, finding each pin, pulling them free, and letting them drop to the floor one by one. He fisted one hand in her hair, holding her head still as he allowed his tongue to explore her mouth, the taste of her fueling his lust in a way no woman had ever done before. Slowly, his touch like fire against her skin, Alexander trailed his fingers from her neck, past her breasts, down her stomach to the junction of her thighs. Making love to a woman was never a problem for Alexander; he knew exactly how to play Claire. Her body was quivering against him already. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.
Claire looked at him, her eyes locking with his as he slid his hand between her legs, stroking her slowly, knowing she would never be able to last long. The first time they made love, when they kissed in his office, he let her be the aggressor, Alexander allowing her to do whatever she wanted. But not tonight. The intensity of Alexander’s eyes added just a touch of fear to their play, which excited Claire even more. She could feel him against her and slid her hands down to grip his hard cock.
“No!” he growled. “Put your hands back where they were.” He stopped his slow torture until she did as he said. Alexander smiled wickedly, lowering his head to her breast, tracing lazy circles around her hardened nipple with his tongue as he stroked her, dipping his fingers inside of her and then out. She moaned, her nails digging into his shoulders. He nipped at her with his teeth as she began to tremble. He quickly looked up as he moved to the other breast. Her face was flushed, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, and her eyes once again closed as she leaned her head back against the wall. She tensed against him, and he stopped, withdrawing his hand.
Claire’s eyes flew open as he backed away from her. “You fucking shit!” she hissed. Alexander raised his eyebrows in response. Her heart banged in her chest, and she got mad. “You’re gonna pay for that,” she said. She pushed herself away from the wall.
“Really?” Alexander waited until she was just close enough and pounced. As she reached out for him, he grabbed her wrist, tossing her face first onto the bed, landing on top of her. He captured her hands above her head, holding them crossed at the wrists in his as he kissed her neck. “You made a mistake calling me that, “ he whispered against her neck. He ran his hand down her body.
“Alexander?” she whispered, turning her head. “What are you doing?”
Alexander never answered her as he held her on the bed, He slipped his knee between her legs, forcing her to spread her legs. He ran his lips down her back as he began to stroke her again, never letting go of her hands.
“This is not fair,” she moaned, gripping the bed covers.
“I never said I was fair.” With one quick driving stroke, he entered her, her tight, warm sheath wrapping around him.
Claire thought the world had exploded. She buried her face in the bed, the gut-wrenching moan of satisfaction muffled in the blankets. He was right; he had definitely made her think of nothing but him. She turned her head back as far as she could, his lips meeting hers as he lay on top of her, kissing her. She felt him move inside of her, and she moaned against his lips.
Alexander slowly thrust his hips, driving himself deep inside of Claire, her small moans fueling him. It was exquisite torture holding himself back. He had no desire to hurt her, but right now, he didn’t know if he could keep himself from giving her exactly what he had wanted from the day he had met her. He closed his eyes, his own body covered with a sheen of sweat. “Fuck it,” he whispered, sitting up and withdrawing. Before Claire could protest, Alexander rolled her onto her back and impaled her once again, pulling her up, her legs wrapped around his hips as he forcefully drove himself into her, kissing her.
All Claire could do was hold on to him. “Alexander, stop.”
“No!”
“Yes!” She grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. She clenched the muscles in her thighs, slowing him. “Not yet.”
Alexander looked at her, his breath coming in gasps. “What?”
Claire tucked her tongue in the side of her mouth. “Not…yet…” she repeated, moving her hands down his chest and stomach. She backed away from him, letting her mouth trail its way down his body, forcing him to withdraw yet again. She took his erection in her hand, rubbing her fingers along its length. She gazed up at him and smiled, returning her attention to his cock. “It told you you were going to pay,” she said softly, taking him in her mouth.
“Claire!” he snarled, trying to push her head away. She dug her nails into the back of his thighs as she took him completely in her mouth, her lips brushing the reddish curls that usually nestled him. His hands clenched in her hair, and Alexander actually stopped breathing for a moment, his head thrown back as he moaned. “You are an evil woman,” he groaned.
Claire smiled, circling the head with her tongue. “No. I just love you,” she answered, once again drawing him into her mouth. She let her tongue lap at him as she moved her head up and down along his length, her hand stroking his legs, his buttocks, and the small of his back. She let them drift around his waist to his hard, muscled stomach and up his chest.
Alexander let out a feral growl and backed away. He reached out and grabbed her wrists, pulling Claire up into his arms and kissing her as he positioned her against him, impaling her. He backed up as she moved her hips along his length, walking into the bedside table, the small lamp crashing to the floor, his fingers clutching her buttocks tightly. He held her up against the window as he thrust, spreading her wider with his fingers as he withdrew almost all the way, driving himself deeper. Alexander finally turned, setting her on the table in the small seating area to the right of the bed. He grasped her hips and gave no quarter, taking her, filling her, his mouth teasing her breasts until she violently shuddered in release, screaming his name, her nails leaving small bleeding crescents in his shoulders. His own release wasn’t far behind, and he bellowed as he emptied himself into her, collapsing on top of her, his heart banging against hers. He closed his eyes, a wave of dizziness washing over him.
“Alexander?” Claire whispered, her voice hoarse from screaming.
“Mmm?”
“I can’t feel my legs.” She threaded her fingers through his hair with one hand, stroking his back with the other.
Alexander looked up at her, gently kissing her swollen lips. “Neither can I.” Claire began to stroke his chest, and he laid his head against her shoulder as he felt the stirring in his loins start again. “You will be the death of me, Claire.”
Claire simply smiled.